Science is the driving force behind the remarkable gains in New Zealand’s livestock productivity and the rising value of our agricultural exports. By unlocking the power of genetics, researchers have enabled New Zealand farmers to breed animals that grow faster, perform better, and deliver higher‑quality products.

Advances in genetics has enabled Kiwi farmers to improve the health and productivity of their livestock.

These cumulative and sustainable genetic gains - supported by advances in DNA parentage testing, high‑throughput sequencing, and genomics‑driven selection - fundamentally and continue to reshape the performance of sheep, cattle, and deer nationwide, strengthening New Zealand’s competitive position in global export markets.

DNA‑based parentage testing has evolved into a world‑leading legacy of genomics innovation, with capabilities placing New Zealand at the forefront of agricultural genetics.  Through advanced sequencing technologies, SNP‑chip tools, and AI‑enabled data analytics, breeders can make earlier and more accurate selection decisions across multiple species. These innovations have accelerated gains in productivity, meat quality, resilience, survival, improved welfare by identifying animals better able to cope with stress.

New Zealand scientists are also leading the world by finding genetic traits for breeding low methane emitting sheep. This research is adding to the legacy of past achievements and science impact. 

Since the 1990s, the cumulative impact of genetic improvement has been profound: lambing performance has risen by 24%, carcass weights by at least 28%, and lamb output per ewe by 114%, accompanied by premium traits such as tenderness and intramuscular fat becoming more accessible through genomic selection.